Navigate Change with clarity
TRANSFORM THROUGH SELF-DISCOVERY
My Story
After years of striving for success and managing multiple businesses, I realized something was missing.
When my Life Coach asked me if I was happy, I was stunned. It wasn’t a question I had considered, but my inner voice was clear -- NO.
I decided to make a change.
Reaching this kind of crossroads in life isn’t easy, especially when it’s taken so much hard work to get to where you are.
I was proud of my efforts, my drive, and my spirit, but as I stood at that turning point, a question kept nagging at me…
If all the accomplishments I’m so proud of didn’t bring me happiness, what does that say -- to me -- about the value of all that hard work?
1994
When I was 16, I dropped out of high school.
My time there had been challenging, and I couldn’t see a future where I would ever return to school.
But two years later, a new hairdresser friend introduced me to a world I’d always been curious about -- style and fashion. I had no idea this could be my career, but when I learned it only required a year of school, I took the leap.
I enrolled, graduated, and landed my first job as a hairdresser in my small town.
This experience reconnected me with a love of learning from my childhood that I’d lost in the turmoil of high school and the aftermath of dropping out. It was a reminder of how capable I was of mastering anything I set my mind to.
Fueled by this realization, I made my next big move -- starting my career in Madison, Wisconsin.
At my first hair show, I was inspired by a dynamic Redken educator and speaker, and I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I volunteered, showed up, and eventually earned a spot in their first local training program for national educators.
The program opened new doors, allowing me to join Redken as an educator and consultant.
I reorganized my work schedule to balance my new role at Redken with my salon job. And by 25, I’d bought my first house, using the additional income I earned for my down payment.
For the first time, I saw the power of combining hard work with a clear vision.
By 29, I built and opened my first self-funded salon.
I began working on Hybrid Salon in 2006, and by 2007, it was open for business. I wasn't expecting to be launching in the middle of a recession, but I was driven by my clear vision.
Hybrid Salon was created as an education-based salon, prioritizing the guest experience, focusing on thorough consultations and empowering clients with the knowledge to maintain their styles at home. This approach and an amazing team allowed the business to thrive despite the economic challenges.
Five years later, I expanded again, funding, designing, and building out a new salon space for Hybrid. Not long after, I purchased another salon in a town two hours away.
Then, in late 2014, I had the opportunity to open a branch of The Salon Professional Academy. This venture allowed me to contribute to an organization that not only emphasized technical skills but also equipped students with the business skills necessary for long-term success in the beauty industry. I was proud to be a part of something that prepared future salon professionals for sustainable careers.
But by 2017, the weight of managing multiple businesses had started to take its toll. The drive that had fueled my success was now leaving me feeling stretched too thin, and I began to question the path I was on.
It was during this time that my Life Coach posed that pivotal question, "Are you happy?" which made me reconsider everything.
Ultimately, I made the difficult decision to close my businesses, carefully planning the process to ensure my employees and students could transition smoothly.
Embracing a new direction, I became an independent stylist, renting a studio and simplifying my life.
Around the same time, in 2017, I began learning about the work of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), and in 2019 I attended the Psychedelic Science Summit in Austin, Texas. Inspired by MAPS research on healing from trauma, I deepened my commitment to my own journey of self-discovery and healing.
This shift in my career, which led to a significant amount of free time, along with the self-discovery work I was engaging in, prompted me to ask myself that pivotal question, "Are you happy?" about my personal life. The answer, once again, was "no."
Asking this question pushed me to reflect more deeply, leading me to ask even tougher questions about who I was and where I wanted to go from here. While those questions led to difficult but necessary decisions, they also opened me up to new possibilities. I began pursuing a degree in psychology as a part-time student, and I allowed myself to consider new dreams.
What was the value of all the hard work that brought me to that crossroads in my life?
The hard work I put in was never wasted. I was creating, refining, and practicing my own unique blueprint for success -- a blueprint I could apply to more authentically aligned goals and dreams.
Each new insight I had led to a new intention or goal, which I turned into a plan of action, allowing me to integrate that insight into my life.
The difference today is that, through self-discovery and healing, I’ve learned to ask myself more meaningful questions that guide me toward making decisions aligned with my true needs and values. I seek support, honor my own needs, and listen to my inner voice.
In 2022, I put this blueprint into practice when I decided to make a huge move from Madison, Wisconsin, to Honolulu, Hawaii. The key to making this move successful was careful planning. I created a yearlong plan that included a discovery trip to explore opportunities and make connections.
When I arrived in Hawaii, I started as a stylist, allowing the salon owner to see my capabilities. Soon after, I was invited to co-create an educational program with him -- an opportunity that perfectly aligned with my passion and experience.
During this time, I also completed my BA degree in psychology, got accepted into a master’s program in social work, and earned my Life Coaching Certification.
Now, driven by my experiences and the insights and skills gained along my journey, I'm committed to helping individuals live authentically and grow continuously. When one person transforms and lives true to their authentic self, it creates a positive ripple effect, uplifting those around them and fostering a more understanding community.
Without value, how can we have purpose?
I've designed a lifestyle that aligns with my commitment to growth.
One of the most important things I've learned on this journey is how to design my life around my health and wellness routine. My core practices include meditation, sleep, strength training, nutrition, and spending time outdoors. I'm also continually working to maintain a balance between social connections and solitude, striving to recharge and reflect while nurturing meaningful relationships.
These practices enable me to continue growing and discovering new aspects of myself with clarity and resilience.
Maintaining a strong connection to my personal passions and interests is equally essential. Music, in particular, has always been a way for me to express my emotions and connect with my authentic self. This passion has been with me since I was a little kid, whether that was exploring new music, learning to play various instruments, or songwriting.
In 2020, I returned to composing, creating music that reflects my emotions, using synthetic sounds that originate from compositions on the piano. This allows me to continue exploring and expressing my inner world in a meaningful way.
My love for diversity and new experiences has also always played a significant role in my life. Growing up on Camp Pendleton in California exposed me to a rich multicultural environment, and that exposure has shaped my worldview.
I’ve road-tripped through almost all 50 states and traveled internationally to places like Amsterdam, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Canada.
Hawaii, with its vibrant multicultural community, continues to enrich my life, offering new perspectives and experiences that support my ongoing journey of self-discovery and growth.
Hear more about Tony's journey in his interview with KHON2 in Hawaii.
Check out the full interview below.
Hear more about Tony's journey in his interview with KHON2 in Hawaii.
Listen to Tony’s conversation on The Freedom to Feel podcast, hosted by Valeria Teles, where he and Valeria explored the topic of Rewriting Your Self-Narrative for Self-Discovery and Growth.
Check out the full interview below.
Tony Santini
Tony Santini is a certified Life Coach with a Bachelor's in Psychology and 27 years of experience in the beauty industry. He combines his deep understanding of human behavior with a rich background as an educator, consultant, salon owner, and former owner of The Salon Professional Academy in Madison, Wisconsin. Tony is a Master Stylist at Every Piece Salon and pursuing his Master’s in Social Work at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. Tony offers a holistic approach to life coaching rooted in professional experience and a commitment to personal growth, available both in Honolulu, Hawaii, and virtually to clients everywhere.
